Sore Hocks
Short behind, reluctant to stop, fussy in the turns.
Read more → Horse Care
Tendons & Suspensories
Soft tissue is slow to heal and quick to re-injure. Whether you are maintaining a sound horse or supporting one your vet is rehabbing, the routine is the same: cool, check, support.
A warm tendon is a vet call
Heat, swelling, a bow or a horse that is suddenly off on one front leg means a veterinarian and probably an ultrasound, not a wrap. Everything below is for maintenance on a sound horse or for support within a rehab plan your vet has set.
Cool, then wrap
After hard work we cool the lower legs for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on Track Quick Wraps do it with water and evaporation; cold hosing works too. Once the leg is dry, Back on Track quick wraps or no-bow wraps go on for the stall or the trailer. Their Welltex lining is designed to reflect warmth back to the tendon area while the horse rests.
Targeted light
XLR8 Redlight Tendon Wraps are cordless and sized for the front or hind cannon, delivering red and near-infrared light in one wrap. XLR8 lists suspensory, flexor and splint injuries among their uses. We use them as a short session on a clean, dry leg, before or after work, as directed. The bell boots cover the hoof and pastern area the same way.
Questions we get a lot
Should I wrap my horse's legs every night?
For a horse in hard work, overnight stable wraps designed for the purpose are common practice. Wrap on a clean, dry leg, check the legs every morning, and take the wraps off for turnout unless your vet says otherwise.
Can red light wraps be used on a healing suspensory?
Only as part of a plan your veterinarian has agreed to. XLR8 lists suspensory injuries among the uses of the Redlight tendon wraps; your vet decides whether and when it fits the rehab.
How do I check a tendon by hand?
With the leg weight-bearing, run your fingers down the back of the cannon from knee to fetlock, then pick the leg up and gently squeeze the tendon between thumb and fingers. Heat, swelling or a flinch compared to the other leg is what you are looking for.
Talk to a rider. Text or call 720-504-5536 with your horse's age, workload and what you are seeing. We will tell you what we would use and what is on the shelf.
This page is general horsemanship from our own barn plus the manufacturers' product information. It is not veterinary advice. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Work with your veterinarian and check your association's rules on gear and supplements.
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Other things riders ask about
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Girthy, cold-backed, hollow when you ask for round, flinching when you brush the loin.
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Read more →Breathing & Dusty Arenas
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Stomping all day wears feet, splits hooves and sours attitudes.
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